Juvenile Delinquency | Heenal Mehta

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 Juvenile Delinquency | Heenal Mehta

A Child's mind is ‘ tabula rasa’ or a blank slate . Every child begin his life with equal
morality. They are neither inherently good or evil . A child’s nature is developed as
their childhood progresses,which has a very lasting effect on their personality. A negative
environment can give birth to a beggar or a thief ( John Locke 1670).

It is a known fact that a criminal is not born but made. Exploitation of a child has
been a long standing practice. A crime committed by the juveniles can be forced by
various natural, physical, sexual, psychological and other conflicts. In India where
approx 40% of the population is of up to 19 year olds. The issues of risk factor of
juvenile delinquency is an area to be given attention. Many developing countries
have done little or nothing to deal with these problems. Juvenile delinquency is
mostly driven by the negative consequences of social and economic development in
particular crises or instability, parental alcoholism, poverty , abusive adults , family
conflicts, or less basic necessities . Various crimes are affected by various factors. i.e.
one may be involved in theft or burglary who is fighting against economic poverty .

Statistics
To understand the current situation of juvenile delinquent in India it is necessary to
analyse the old data to determine the factors affecting juvenile delinquency.

Statistics of crimes in 2015:-

● According to national crime record bureau (NCRB) Total apprehended juvenile
for IPC and SLL , both crimes in 2015 were 41385.
● From 41385 cases the top committed crimes by juvenile are theft (19.3%),
burglary (8.3%), Rape (5.3%), Robbery (5.3%) and Murder ( 2.7%) . These 5 crimes
cover major part of the total cases i.e. (40.9%).
● Among these juveniles , 85.65% juvenile were living with parents.
● Economically 89.94% juveniles belong to poor families earning up to Rs. 1,00,000
per annum, And from the remaining juveniles , 8.96% juveniles belong to families
earning Rs. 1,00,000-3,00,000.
● Juvenile having low education or illiterate were 11.49% and educated up to
primary were 34.38% and juvenile having education primary to s.s.c./h.s.c. were
46.06% .
● Juveniles apprehended for 1st time cover 93.94% of all juveniles.

● 97.78% apprehended juveniles were boys.

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Statistics of crimes in 2011:-

● According to national crime record bureau (NCRB) total apprehended juvenile

for IPC and SLL , both crimes in 2011 were 33887.
● From 33887 cases the top committed crimes by juvenile are theft (19.3%),
burglary (9.8%), Rape (3.6%), Robbery (3.5%) and Murder ( 2.4%) . These 5 crimes
covers major part from total juvenile cases i.e. (38.6%).
● Among these juveniles , 81.38% juvenile were living with parents.
● Economically 94.95% juveniles belong to poor family earning up to Rs. 1,00,000
per annum, And the from the remaining juveniles 4.74% juvenile belong to families
earning Rs. 1,00,000-3,00,000.
● Juvenile having low education, or illiterate were (18.06%) and educated up to
primary were (37.78%) and juvenile having education primary to s.s.c./h.s.c. were
31.04%.
● Juvenile apprehended for 1st time cover 88.50% from all juveniles.

● 94.16% Apprehended juvenile were boys.

By Comparing both the data of 2011 and 2015 we can see that rape, robbery and
murder increased in last 5 years. Juveniles living with parents increased 4% (approx)
. 3.5% (approx) juvenile male criminals increased and juvenile apprehended 1 st time
increased by 7% ( approx).

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The key to understanding crime is to focus on fundamental attributes of all criminal

behaviour rather than on specific act (Sampson and Laub 1993; Gottfreason and
Hirarschi 1990). To understand major juvenile crimes such as murder, rape, robbery,
burglary we need to identify what they all have in common rather than crime type.
Some researches indicated that some important factors affecting criminal behaviour
can be poverty, inequality, disrupted families , inadequate socialization and the presence
of criminal opportunities (Sampson and Laub 1993; Reiss and Roth 1993; Tonry, Ohlin, and
Farrington 1991; Land, McCall, and Cohen 1990; Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990; Blau and
Schwartz 1984). Growing up in a disrupted family is highly associated with antisocial
behaviour of child, which itself a crime type (Patterson, Debaryshe, and Ramsay 1989).
Some important developmental factors i.e. parenting , family, educational success (
Wilson and Hernstein 1985), nutrition, interaction between genes and environment
(Fishbein 1990), economical hardships, high crime in neighbourhood, caregiving deficits
(Werner and smith 1992), unemployment, (Sampson and laub 1993:83), risk of physical
and emotional child abuse (Widom 1992), increased urbanization, social disorganization,
population growth (J. Wilson 1987) , less education , big families, less necessities , these all
directly or indirectly give their contribution to lead someone toward criminality. Still it
is very hard or is impossible to determine which factor is direct cause of crime or
it may possible that all factors are interrelated. It's Possible that some affect more
and some affect less. Factors affecting criminal behaviour changes criminal to criminal.
Some most affecting factors are explained here:

Education

Education is one of the most affecting combination factor to create criminal

behaviour. The higher education give less criminals. As per the National Crime Record
Bureau (NCRB) statistics of crime 2015 , 11% of illiterate juveniles committed crime .

The second major common educational qualification i.e. 34% in juvenile was education
up to primary . and the major common qualification i.e. 46% in juveniles was education
up to S.S.C/ H.S.C.. Remaining 8 % juveniles had their education more than S.S.C/
H.S.C.. it is clear from the above data that the child who attains schooling at basic
primary level but does not complete schooling are more involved in juvenile crime. The
reason behind incomplete education can be poor family, less attraction towards
education, economical instability, or child labour. Highest juvenile crimes are registered
in states Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu respectively. If
we go by data these all five states contains higher number of juvenile who are
educated up primary.

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According to Becker and Mullingan (1997) education teach individual to be more

patient. Education shapes individual's personality , behaviour, thinking , to let understand
the difference between society, make them learn socialization, increases work
opportunities for future, Which make distance from criminal activities. Few studies on
prison inmates in united states 75% inmates from state did not have high school
education (Harlow 2003). Another study conducted in 2001 on convicted prisoners in
Italy more than 75% of convicted persons had not complete high school (Buonanno
and Leonida 2006). Individuals who engage in criminal activities in early age , and to
get support and confidence to do criminal activities are likely to choose to leave school
at young age.( Lochner 2004). Lochner concentrated on a human capital approach to
analyzing relationship between education and crime . Lochner and Moretti (2004) find
that increase in average education in 1 year in a state reduces state level arrest by
11% or more. Murder would be reduced by 30%, auto-theft by 20%, arson by 13%, and
burglary and larceny by 6% Even Hjalmarsson et al. in 2001 from random data research
in Sweden indicate that education significantly reduces criminal activity involvement
for both male and females. Education may increase crime like white collar crimes.

From large number of researches and studies it's clear that education is directly
linked with criminal behaviour. The quality and quantity of education a person receives
is commonly viewed as a determinate of that person's success. Having an education is almost
a requirement to maintaining a good quality of life, because with education comes
opportunity It's quite obvious that education teaches one to earn and complete his
basic needs of life . Education creates high morals and values in life to survive ,
teaches social norms and behaviour, make individual to follow it. These all basic
personality formation took criminal behaviour very far from individual. Less education
or illiteracy is direct short way to became criminal and to create criminal future. Less
earning , less education, higher number of family members, less necessity make one to
force to engage in such activity where he can gain money, or power or can complete
his basic necessities. these all basic reasons which we can normally analyse in poor Indian

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family set up can be greatest risk factor for juvenile delinquents. these juveniles
commits more property crime like theft burglary robbery. These all 3 crimes are one
of the highest crimes committed by juveniles in india. theft (19.3%), burglary (8.3%),
Robbery (5.3%) i.e. 13406 cases form total juvenile cases 41385. Thus low education with
combination of poor socio- economic status give high chances to criminal activity.

Poverty

Generally we associate low socioeconomic status with criminal behaviour. But it

doesn’t mean that every poor person must engage in criminal acts. The reality is most
poor people have no connection with crime. But yes, with poverty the other conditions,
events and experience , these combo may involve some one very easily into criminal
activities. We can say that poverty does not have direct relationship with crime but
with combination of other factors, it does. Some major chances to engage in criminal
behaviour are there for People from low Socio-economical background because they easily
can establish relationship between poverty and crime. Parental unemployment, and
income poverty give birth to conflicts and emotional stress , disruption and dissolution,
these all together create comfortable pathway to criminal behaviour. If the poverty
make combination with criminal neighbourhood then it can be risk factor for delinquent
behaviour. And many researchers found strong relationship between delinquent
behaviour , poverty and criminal neighbourhood. Other than these the need of
necessities, dreams of comfort and luxurious life , greed can also drive to criminal
behaviour.

Statistics of juvenile crime 2015 of National Crime Record Bureau(NCRB) shows that
apprehended juveniles majorly i.e. 96% mainly belong from poor families earning up to

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Rs. 2,00,000 per annum. If we go by income in depth then we can see that the most
common earning level of juvenile families were of up to Rs.25,000 per annum. 42% of
juvenile belongs to these families. 28% juvenile comes from family earning Rs.25,000 to
Rs.50,000 per annum. And 26% from family earning Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 per annum.
According to crime data the highest crime were theft, burglary and robbery. These three
property crimes can be directly or indirectly related to poverty and crime , the proved
relationship over time period. so, after low education , poverty is another favourable
combination provided for criminal behaviour in India.

Researches gave evidence that increased poverty rates are associated with higher
crime rates (Bailey 1984; Jackson 1984; Williams 1984; Land et al. 1990). According to some
studies poverty and inequality results in more violent crime ( Fajnzylber, Lederman, and
Loayza [1998, 2002a, 2002b], and Whitworth, 2012) because of social tension, anxiety ,
and strain caused by both. Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) state that “income inequality
results in housing, employment and activity patterns by upper income individuals that
lower criminal opportunity”. According to Belton M. Fleisher(1963,1966) crime rates were
positively associated with unemployment and low income levels. Isaac Ehrlich (1973)
also confirmed that lower income levels lead to higher crime rates. Lott in 1990 stated
that property crime is poor person's method of borrowing against future human capital .
and poor are more likely to engage in criminal activity due to limited access in markets. .
Deutsch, Spiegel and Templeman (1992) stated that because of less fear of cost of
punishment poor are more likely to commit crimes. Fafchamps and Minten (2002) have
argued that “(other) crimes are largely affected by the demand for illegal commodities and
services such as drugs, prostitution or organized crime. In this case, an increase in poverty
would increase the supply of criminals but at the same time reduce demand from illegal
products.” Social disorganization theory directly supports that a decrease social control
machinery can lead to higher crime rates(Shaw and McKay, 1942) and affecting or partner
factors can be poverty , racial differences, social instabilities . Mostly inequality is linked
with crime because of poverty. Many studies supports link or relation between poverty
(absolute or relative) and property crime such as Braithwaite (1979); Danziger and
Wheeler (1975); Danziger (1976); Gillespie (1976); Jacobs (1981); Blau and Blau (1982);
DeFronzo (1983); Howsen and Jarrell (1987) and Jarell and Howsen (1990).

Gender effect
At a first glance of the above chart, we can say that the juvenile crime are very less
committed by girls. According to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) only 917 juvenile
cases it means approx 2.2% committed by girls. Which is very few cases in comparison

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with juvenile boys. The most constant finding on gender and crime supports low crime
rate of females strongly. Gender is most consistent predictor of crime (Hagan et al.
1985; Farnworth & Teske 1995). If we compare statistical data of female juveniles in 2015
with statistical data of female juveniles of 2011 , the noticeable point would be decreased
female juvenile criminals .

Indian society is male dominant society. Where direct parental control like parental
monitoring , supervising , power and control and indirect controls like emotional

bonding are, significantly low for male child , and higher for female child (Jensen and
Eve 1979, Hagan et al. 1985,1987). These can be one of the most prominent reason that
why males commits more crime than females. Change in economical structure removed
females from formal economy, and placed them under supervision of their husbands
(Freeley & Little 1991). Gender gap could not only result of parental control , but it is
also result of close supervision , delinquency is more influenced by supervision. And
girls tends to more connected to family by emotional bonds (Heimer and De Coster
1999 , Hagan 1989) which leads one to commit less crimes. Men are more involved
than women in crime “always and everywhere” (Gottfredson & Hirschi 1990:145) Another
impactful reason is risk taking nature of males. The thrill seeking nature of male will
engage him in crime directly. And male more prefer risk taking behaviour than females
( Hagan 1989). Another research done by Messerschmidt (1993,2000) says that male
may wanted to show their masculinity through committing violence and crime. Females
are more involved in minor property crime (Steffensmeirer & Allan 1996).

Mental disorder in gender can be answer of more male criminality. According to

Researches of Robin et al.(1991), Pitts et al. (1991), Kessler and Shanyang (1999) , and
Rosenfield (1999) female have more internalizing disorders like depression and anxiety

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where males have externalizing disorder more like substance abuse and antisocial
disorders). General strain theory explains higher rate of male crime as males are more
subject to more strains than females, males having different strains from female which
are more conducive to crime, male emotional response more conducive to crime, and
males more likely to respond strain with crime. In Indian society females are more
involved in socialization process , follows more social norms and rules, more participated
in devotional acts , emotionally linked to family, more compromising behaviour , which
can influence female crime rate most. And can be result in less crime by females. One
of the feminist literature also argues that female crime is rooted in the oppression
of women (Carlen 1985, 1988; Daly and Chesney-Lind 1988; Gilfus 1992; Messerrschmidt
1986; Naffine 1987). Other then these it's also noted that sexes are different
significantly from each other in manner of cognitively , emotionally, behaviourally, and
also biological, psychological and , experimental realities of being male or female lead
them to act differently in same situation in variety of issues problem and involvement
of criminal acts. Female are more exposed to convict in crimes like burglary, theft and
larceny. Females are more involved in minor or petty crimes. Cohen and Felson (1989)
hypothesize that men and female similarly motivated to commit minor crime. Intention
between male and female crime are believed to be different ( Leonard 1982).

Males attracted to risk taking behaviour, less females are attracted; socio biological
influences, disorder on both sexes, expectation factor, attachment, emotional bonds,
parental deprivation may exposed more to male criminality rather than female. The
other influential factor can be high testosterone level in males, the gene effect, parental
support, negative environment in family, peers or neighbourhood also more effects on
male criminality.

Parenting
Jessica lal murder case , Nirbhaya rape case can be best example of negative parenting
technique. Where parents took the crime done by their child as normal act. If the
criminals of both were given some right parental guidance and do not support their
child in their beginning of negative personality then these both case would not be
there. Yes, not the only parenting factor is there in these both case was only influenced,
but it was not even ignorable. 86 % of total juvenile criminals belongs from the
category living with parents. Where only 14% of other juvenile were homeless or living
with guardian. These stage of crime rate of juvenile living with parents can be
alarming for parents. Because parents is the base of personality creation of child.
From birth child learns socialization process from parents. If parents are providing
negative morals , values , to the child then that can be the readymade pathway for child

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to become criminal. Broken families, disputes in family , single parents , divorce parents,
criminal parents , type of parenting style , all together create a “ good criminal”

with the help of parents or family.

Parents-child relationship affects more on child’s future acts. Good relationship between
both can create good citizen and the no or less connection between them can create good
criminal. Juvenile more likely , to have suffered family breakdowns or loss, parental
neglect, poor maternal care, family conflict, absence of good parental relationship. (Utting,
Bright and Henricson 1993; Yoshikawa 1994). Parental monitoring is key component of
positive parenting and also a good predictor of delinquency . The research of Graham and
Bowling (1995) confirmed the strong links between poor parental supervision and juvenile
convictions. Parents living together and contributing to parental conflict and poor
parenting creates behavioural problems in child which mostly observed in juveniles.

Child imitates what he observed. If he grown up in abusive parenting behaviour he will

imitate the same. And turns criminal. The family is most important socialization agent.
And the connection of family as a source to low self control leads child to criminal acts. The
higher rate of delinquency documented among child from single parent compared to both
parents family.( Cookston, 1999; Lipman et al., 1996; Rankin and Kern, 1994). Derzon
(2005) raises the possibility that family constructs more importance of antisocial behaviour
of child . and also stated that family is not only reason to became criminal but it's one of the
major.

Criminal Parents can be one reason for their child to turn juvenile or anti social.
According to California Research Bureau the child of criminal parents has highest
problems in learning /school 28.8% , health issues 3% , behavioural issue 27.3% , teen
pregnancy issues 1.5%, addictions 3% and other 10.6%. these can lead them to anxiety ,
acute trauma, stress, guilt, rejection of limits, premature termination crime, and
incarceration. In same study stated that from history of incarcerated mothers 52.8%

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were victim of physical abuse at some time, 41.7% were sexual abuse at some time , and
was under alcohol abuse i.e. 65% .

It's found that girls from single parents more associated with issue related to theft,
and vandalism , run away, and sexual deviancy,( Austin 1978) while males are more
involved in addictions, traffic violation, property crimes.(Austin 1978). Children from
broken family involved significantly higher amount of delinquency (Canter, 1982).

Many more issue can be described in researches but according to Indian society the reason
stated above were more influential than others.

Other factors
only few factors mention above are not solely create a juvenile, the other co-factors
creates with them ,the juveniles. i.e. only a poor person can not be criminal , but the child
grown up in poverty with negative parenting techniques and less education is more likely
to be criminal. The combination of most effective factors with other local effective factors
can be reason of juvenile crime. West (1982) concluded that future criminals ere more likely
to have been part of low income family, and neglect of parents.

Research conducted from official crime figures and longitudinal research emerges that
children from low income , working class families are more likely to become juvenile
offenders. (Bartol and Bartol 1998; Heimker 1997).Poor housing , low family income lead
to weaker parental control and supervision, thus Economic hardship with inconsistent
parenting can be reason of juvenile activities.

Many co –factors influences child behaviour to turn negative. Addicted parents, divorced
parents, crime in neighbourhood which is not more common in India but in some area it is.
Abuse by parents or peers , less necessities , need and greed, the psychological and
neurological issues, social status maintenance any of these or other factors with
combination of poverty, less education can lead one to criminal behaviour easily.

Indian data of juvenile is showing more negative effect of economic background ,

parenting, and gender issues. In design of The future steps to reduce juvenile activity
can possible by reducing the effects of these factors as we have less number of repeated
criminal , and more first time convicted juveniles.

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